2019-20 Ottawa Senators - Postseason Update
Colin White - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Artemi Panarin
Riley Smith - Michael Rasmussen - Calle Jarnkrok
Brady Tkachuk - Victor Rask - Wayne Simmonds
Kyle Clifford - Cody Eakin - J.T. Brown
Thomas Chabot - Dan Girard
John Moore - Julius Honka
Ben Harpur - Paul Ladue
Carter Hutton
Casey DeSmith
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The team came out of the gates with the help of free agent signing Artemi Panarin. Panarin lead the NHL in goals prior to receiving a season ending concussion that took him out of action after 38 NHL games played. Colin White stepped up big for the Sens and finished the season as the teams top offensive contributor. Thomas Chabot lead the backend along with mid season add Julius Honka who was a staple on the teams 2nd D pair. The team opted to sell a few assets at the TDL namely Semyon Varlamov the teams underperforming starter. Varly had a 0.850 SV% in Ottawa, shortly after the trade he skyrocketed up to a 0.932 SV% with the Sabres who were 2nd in their division. Carter Hutton and Casey DeSmith split the remaining games as the team battled through several key injuries. The Sens finished last in the league sporting a 24-51-7 Record well going 2-7-1 down the stretch.
The Sens went into the draft lottery with the best odds and came out with the 2nd Overall Pick in the 2020 Draft. Management has been keenly eyeing the projected #2 prospect in this years draft - so this was obviously a godsend. The teams youth in Belleville pushed a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Final of the AHL before bowing out in a 1-0 shutout loss. The teams rookie goaltending duo was dynamic with Filip Gustavsson leading the way. He was backed up by 18 year old Marcus Hornquist who was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2019 Draft.
Filip Gustavsson 38 W, 15 L, 6 OTL - 0.925 SV%, 2.03 GAA in 59 GP.
Marcus Hornquist 14 Wins, 7 L, 2 OTL - 0.921 SV%, 2.13 GAA in 24 GP.
Top 7 Forwards in NHL
Colin White - 33 Goals, 34 Assists, 67 Points in 82 Games (-47)
Pierre Luc Dubois - 23 Goals, 41 Assists, 64 Points in 82 Games (-12)
Artemi Panarin - 38 Goals, 15 Assists, 53 Points in 38 Games (-7)
Riley Smith - 21 Goals, 26 Assists 47 Points in 81 Games (-5)
Wayne Simmonds - 29 Goals, 17 Assists, 46 POints in 66 Games (-17)
Drake Batherson - 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points in 0 Games (0)
Brady Tkachuk - 13 Goals, 26 Assists, 39 Points in 75 Games (-34)
Michael Rasmussen - 5 Goals, 32 Assists, 37 Points in 54 Games. (-8)
Top 3 Defence in NHL
Thomas Chabot - 9 Goals, 32 Assists, 41 Points in 79 Games (-38)
John Moore - 4 Goals, 30 Assists, 34 Points in 82 Games (+6)
Julius Honka - 7 Goals, 26 Assists, 33 Points in 78 Games (-16)
Top 2 Goaltenders in NHL
Carter Hutton - 32 Wins, 18 L, 6 OTL - .910 SV%, 2.79 GAA in 59 GP
DeSmith - 12 Wins, 20 L, 2 OTL, 0.859 SV%, 4.26 GAA in 37 GP.
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Rookie AHL Campaigns
Goalies
Filip Gustavsson 38 W, 15 L, 6 OTL - 0.925 SV%, 2.03 GAA in 59 GP.
Marcus Hornquist 14 Wins, 7 L, 2 OTL - 0.921 SV%, 2.13 GAA in 24 GP.
Defenseman
Erik Brannstrom - 7 Goals, 27 Assists, 34 Points in 63 Games (+11)
Victor Soderstrom - 3 Goals, 13 Assists, 16 Points in 70 Games (+1)
Villie Heinola - 2 Goals, 9 Assists, 11 Points in 57 Games (+6)
L. Camper - 0 Goals, 3 Assists, 3 Points in 25 Games (0)
I don't seem to have my AHL forwards up to date will have to update that when I have it. We head into the draft in 3 days with the 2nd and 13th Overall picks along with 2 Second Rounders and several later picks. We are going to see if we can move up to pick 3 if the other team has any interest in sliding back. There is an elite shutdown RHD in the ilk of Chris Chelios who has great offensive instincts we'd love to snag. I have a feeling we may have to offer up a 2nd in this years draft and that first we got for Varlamov to even be in the conversation. We are debating the future of Brady Tkachuk here in Ottawa. He played very well with White and Panarin prior to our cap Panarin falling to injury. But if we go with the 2nd OA rated player "Mikko Vallin" a LWer out of Finland who is a TWF that protects the puck well and has a large frame.. Do we need Brady, Rasmussen who we love and Mikko? Our scouts have have been drooling on Vallin all year so I can't see us passing up on arguably the most ready prospect in the draft.
2nd OA Rated: Mikko Vallin - LW -TWF - MED Elite Potential
Shooting A, Puck Skills A-, Senses B, Skating B, Physical B, Defense B.
Strengths: Pro Release, Puck Protection, Offensive creativity
NHL Comparison: Markus Naslund - ETA: 1 Year Out
6'2" - 201 LBS - Age 18
3rd OA Rated: Eino Laakkonen - RD -DFD - MED Elite Potential
Shooting B-, Puck Skills C, Senses B-, Skating C, Physical B, Defence C
Strengths: Balance, Strength, Offensive Instincts
NHL Comparison: Chris Chelios - ETA 2 Years Out
Body Type: 6'1" - 199 LBS - Age 18 (Weakness shot utilization)
4th OA Rated: Matt Konowalchuk - RW - SCR - MED Elite Potential
Shooting A-, Puck Skills B, Senses B, Skating B-, Physical B-, Defence B-
Strengths: Goal Scoring, Pro Release, Offensive Instincts.
NHL Comparison: Theo Fleury - ETA 2 Years Out
Body Type: 6'0" - 194 LBS - Age 18
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We also have a potential late 1st, early 2nd potential steal available
28th OA Rated: Tuukka Alavaara - RD - DFD - LOW Elite Potential
Shooting B-, Puck Skills C, Senses C, Skating C-, Physical B-, Defence C-
Strengths: Balance, Strength, Defensive Zone Play
Weaknesses: Shot Utilization, Quickness, Acceleration
NHL Comparison: Mike Gartner - ETA 3 Years Out
Body Type: 6'2" - 205 LBS - Age 18
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I am curious who you guys think I should target in the draft and should I try and move up to pick 3 or 4 to snag one of these other guys? I have a lot of 2 way forwards already but the puck protection, size, and release of Mikko have me wanting him bad. Tell me what you think. We have 2 First Round Picks in 2021 and 5 Second Round Picks. We are going to try and identify a legit starter who will better fit our systems. We will also be exploring the coaching and D market to see if we can get some upgrades on that LHD pair 2 role. Our Coaching Chemistry is at 30%. I replaced both the associate and assist coaches but the head coach has zero morale in the team performance category. Personally i'd like to replace him but I am waiting for a suitable replacement and none have hit the market. My Assist Coach has a high "influence rate an A-" We will be loading up to compete for next season. Fingers crossed we can escape the basement lol.